Front Brake Rotors warped again?

[Explorer Buff]

Hi all,

About 5k miles ago I replaced all my brake rotors which solved my "whooping" sound which came from the drivers front tire while driving (it goes away when you even touch the brakes slightly). Recently I've noticed that it is doing it AGAIN! Since it's cold I haven't had a chance to take it apart to check again but its the exact same situation as before so I assume it is the same thing. What would cause the rotor to warp so quickly after it was done before?

Thanks!

 

[Pollarican]

You could possibly have a piston in your brake caliper that is damaged and consistantly applying too much pressure on the pad, resulting in excessive heat that leads to warping. It wouldn't be a bad investment to replace your caliper, it is relatively inexpensive and a job that doesnt take too much work.

 

[aleej]

or... u needs your rears adjusted.. mine does the same thing.. and its cuz i need my rear brakes adjusted.... my front wear out really quick, they do the whooping thing, and when i engage my parking brake i have to push it down way to far to get a responce

 

[96eb96]

or... u needs your rears adjusted.. mine does the same thing.. and its cuz i need my rear brakes adjusted.... my front wear out really quick, they do the whooping thing, and when i engage my parking brake i have to push it down way to far to get a responce

Rears are self adjusting calipers. The parking brake is a totally separate mechanism.

 

[sjr033]

Check your break lines. I had a bad hose that would not let the fluid return. So the caliper would not release fully. Burned though a pad set and rotor in a few thousand miles.

 

[carlover]

Mine warp every 6-8 months or so. Im guessing the heat and force required to stop 33's is alot for the stock rotors. Next step in some slotted/drilled rotors.

 

[Explorer Buff]

Mine warp every 6-8 months or so. Im guessing the heat and force required to stop 33's is alot for the stock rotors. Next step in some slotted/drilled rotors.

I'm flat out stock except for a K&N so it's not an oversized tire issue.

I did just have my left front pinion seal replaced, that wouldn't have anything to do with it would it?

It doesn't seem to do it with the right side, but only the left. I'll check the lines and calipers. Thanks!

 

[damork]

Don't forget that any use of an impact wrench -especially on a Ford product - will more than likely lead to problems with warped rotors.

I've heard it all, but if you don't do you're own work, then look for tire shops where the techs are using torque wrenches to tighten the lug nuts.

I had tires installed at a shop in a Denver suburb once where all the techs were using torque wrenches. The supervisor told me that when you've been in enough lawsuits over problems resulting from impact wrenches then you will learn.

I grew up doing mechanic work, I got my associates degree in the field, I taught mechanics, and eventually got my degree in mechanical engineering and after 40+ years, everything I've learned tells me run from the loonies that insist impact wrenches are okay.

 

[bp1506]

I had a whooping sound coming from my right for a while now... I had rotors, brake pads, and calipers done 2 years ago.. So this sound can be caused by warped rotors? I ask because i have new tires on there too and still does it.

 

[damork]

It would be wise to have your rotors checked for runout. I have two Ford products in the family and they seem to have the problem repeatedly. A Ford Taurus we have had the whooping sound and rotors were slightly warped, an older 88 Tbird Turbo Coupe we used to own was constantly having problems like this until I replaced the rotors. The Tbird was where I really started noticing the problem, but it seems aftermarket rotors really help, PowerSlots and ATE seem to really work well, along with some good pads. I owned a 95 GMC Yukon diesel for over 250,000 miles and never had warpage problems with the rotors. I have heard that it all comes down to the metallurgy used in the rotor - some kinds of metals are more susceptible to warping than others. The Fords always seemed to stop better than the GM, so maybe there is a tradeoff.

 

[BigODave]

Specifically, what pads and rotors were used in your last brake job?

 

[damork]

I installed Powerslot rotors and Hawk Superduty pads and it worked great. Hawk Superduty pads are agressive, and can be noisy if you don't break them in right, but I was meticulous in keeping things clean, torqued everything up and had no trouble. Pads lasted about 3 years or 60k.

I've used ATE rotors in the past with good luck as well. Performance Friction Z series pads have had good reviews, but they are dusty.